The Windham Fire Department responded to a brush fire off River Road last Friday night. The brush fire was one of many happening in the Lakes Region because of recent dry weather.

According to Fire Chief Charles Hammond, a brush pile located near the Maine Humane Society caught on fire after embers, leftover from a previous fire, caught on fire because of increased winds.

“Nearly two acres burned Friday night,” Hammond said. “The fight to put it out was a combined effort with Windham and Gorham units covering stations.”

Hammond says there is increased potential for more fires sparking because of the dry weather conditions. Hammond stressed his concern over “the number of people who aren’t checking with the fire department on regulations” before attempting to handle small, controlled burns. Hammond says the fire department has been dispatched to many locations to request and assist residents in putting them out.

Until grass begins to grow and leaves on trees appear there is the danger of the dead grass igniting, Hammond said. Field fires are particularly difficult according to Hammond as grass fires will skip across a field because of high winds. Some field fires are difficult because fires can be far from roadways making it hard for fire trucks to access the scene. A number of fires can be fought only after hoses and backpacks loaded with equipment are lugged in to the location.

Additional hazards when fighting brush and field blazes are poison ivy, poison oak, and dead trees falling and potentially harming people according to Hammond.

“They are a unique challenge,” Hammond said. “There are many elements to be aware of when fighting fires of this nature.”

Windham, Gorham, and Gray have had their fair share of fires over the past week according to Hammond.

“Departments from Gorham and Gray band together with the Windham department to control the fires that are popping up in our area,” Hammond said.